Chapter 05

VALERIE

I hate him.

God, I hate him.

I didn't even know it was possible to hate a person this fast, this hard, this deep, but there it was, crawling under my skin, spreading with every breath I took inside that damn car, sitting across from a man who had managed to ruin my life in less than twenty-four hours and somehow still looked bored doing it.

He didn't have to speak to piss me off. Sometimes it was the silence. Other times it was the tiniest things. The way his jaw clenched like he was always holding something back. The way he checked his watch like even time annoyed him. The way he didn't look at me. At all.

I stared out the tinted window, arms crossed tight below my tits. "You could at least tell me where we're going," I muttered.

He didn't look up from his phone. "We're almost there."

"That wasn't an answer."

"It was enough."

I scoffed. "Do you get paid extra for being insufferable or were you just born like this?"

Silence.

I laughed bitterly. "God, you're exhausting." The car slowed and stopped just outside the courthouse.

"This is it?" I asked quietly.

"Yes."

I didn't move. "I thought..." My voice trailed off before I could stop it. Thought what Valerie? Flowers? Music? A white dress? A man who didn't threaten your brother's life into marriage?

I swallowed hard. I always thought getting married would feel different. Beautiful.

"Fantasy is for people with options miss Valerie," he said. "You wanted your brother free. This is the cost."

The door opened and we made our way further in. I got married in less than ten minutes. Just ten minutes and my surname was no longer Locke. Not that I particularly liked the name but.. I'd never thought I'd be the person written on the document right now.

Valerie Cantrell.

My stomach twisted. We were married. Just like that. No kiss. No vows that meant something. No promises except the kind written in fine print meant to trap, not protect.

"You're legally married." the judge announced. Dominic was already standing, my said husband didn't bother waiting for me.

He didn't even glance back as he walked away, like I was just another errand crossed off his list.

"Wait," I called, scrambling to follow him. "Where are you going?" He kept walking. "Prepare yourself."

"For what?" I asked, nearly jogging to keep up. He stopped abruptly, making me almost crash into his back.

"For tonight's banquet," he said coolly.

My brows pulled together. "A banquet?"

"My company is hosting it and I'll be announcing you as my wife. You'll do well to play your part as we discussed."

He resumed walking almost immediately and I continued half running behind his broad back. "I don't even have clothes," I burst out. "Or shoes that don't look like I stole them off a dollar rack."

"My assistant will handle it."

"And what exactly am I supposed to do?" I snapped. "Smile? Wave? Pretend you didn't blackmail me into marriage?"

"You'll be doting and supportive. Mostly silent."

"Silent," I repeated flatly.

He glanced at me. "If you do well, there'll be a reward."

The way he said it... made my stomach flipped violently. "A reward?" I echoed. "And what does that mean exactly?"

His lips curved, not quite a smile but it made heat crawl up my neck again. A wedding night?

The thought hit me out of nowhere, uninvited and unwanted, and my mind immediately betrayed me with flashes I didn't ask for. Because even if he was a total ass, I couldn't deny that narcissist had a magic...

I clenched my fists. No.

I straightened my spine. "Just so we're clear. I'm not sleeping with you." He didn't stop moving still.

"Wait—" I called after him. He ignored it. Of course he did.

His hand reached for the door and I immediately ran the last two steps and shoved the door shut with my palm hard enough that it rattled.

"Where are you going?" I demanded. He turned slowly, irritation flickering before it vanished behind that blank, terrifying calm. "That was stupid."

"So is leaving me with a stranger," I snapped. "I'm not getting dragged off by your assistant like luggage. I don't know him."

His eyes dragged over me then, top to bottom. "Are you always this impulsive?"

"I'm your wife," I shot back. "You don't get to just walk away and—" He stepped even closer, making the air seize.

The back of my thighs hit the car and I couldn't go anywhere else. Heat radiated off him, causing my words to completely dry up.

He leaned. "What is this," he murmured, eyes dipping briefly to my mouth before locking back onto mine, "my wife being needy already?"

"What?" I whispered in disgust.

"I thought you had your fill of me last night."

My face burned. "You're foul."

His fingers slid up my waist, slipping under the hem of my hoodie until they touched bare skin. Electricity shot through me like my body had betrayed me on instinct. My breath hitched before I could stop it, nipples tightening traitorously as his thumb pressed lightly, almost curious.

What in earth is he trying to do now? His eyes never left mine.

"Look at you. Your eyes have been begging me to replay last night all through the car ride."

"You're shameless and delusional,"

"Am I? Because right about now your breaths are shallow, your nipples are hard and your thighs are begging to run against each other. If I'm wrong.. push me away,"

I should've. I really really should've.

His hand moved farther, gliding toward my stomach, still holding my gaze, daring me to look away.

His fingers dipped suddenly, slipping into my pants like he already knew exactly where to go, like my body had handed him a map. I gasped sharply, shock punching the air from my chest as his fingers found my clit far too fast.

"You're so wet for me right now. And I'm shameless?"

His fingers glided into me easily, and my knees nearly gave out. Why was he doing this here? Out in the open? This is so shameful.

Why did I love the thrill of it though? I should push him away. Smack him. Make him stop but... Fuck! Why would he hit my G-spot so easily?

No, Valerie.

Make him stop.

Fucking make him stop!